Facts & Figures AW14

At a press conference to open London Fashion Week Natalie Massenet, Chairman of the British Fashion Council, announced updated figures showing substantial growth in the UK fashion industry over the past five years.

The direct value of the UK fashion industry to the UK economy is £26 billion; up from £21 billion in 2009. Showing an increase of 22% in nominal terms (source: Oxford Economics 2014)

The UK fashion industry is estimated to support 797,000 jobs (source: Oxford Economics 2014). This is a decrease of 2.3% from 2009

Whilst employment figures have dropped overall the increased contribution to UK GVA reflects higher productivity within the fashion sector. The British Fashion Council is committed to supporting growth in the sector which it hopes will lead to more employment opportunities

Fashion’s total contribution to the economy via both indirect support for supply chain industries and induced spending of employee’s wage income is estimated to have risen to over £46 billion. An increase of 23% since 2009 (source: Oxford Economics 2014)

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘These latest figures are clear evidence of the hugely important contribution that fashion makes to our economy. It is a dynamic industry whose value is increasing thanks to the dazzling creativity of our designers, the brilliant colleges that bring up the next waves of talent and a fast moving retail sector, which covers the spectrum of great style from bespoke to high street. My office will continue to work with the British Fashion Council to ensure that London remains on the front row in the international fashion stakes.’

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer said: 'London is about to host one of the central events in the fashion calendar, but more importantly it is about to showcase the world class talent we have in our fashion industry. It is testament to the designers, large and small, of the United Kingdom, and to all those who work in the wider retail industry.’

Sam Moore, COO, Oxford Economics, added “Our research underlines the continued and growing importance of the fashion industry’s contribution to the UK economy. Despite, the severe economic headwinds that have confronted British industries since 2009, the growth of the fashion industry is a testament to the popularity of the UK’s fashion industry.”

'I wish all those involved a successful London fashion week, and hope that it generates more opportunities for some of our most promising creative talents. A successful fashion industry means more jobs for the people of this country and that in turn means economic security for families in Britain'.

London Fashion Week AW14:

77 designers showing presentations or catwalk collections on the schedule over 5 days

Over 150 UK and international emerging and established, ready-to-wear and accessory designers exhibit in The Designer Showrooms at London Fashion Week

It is estimated that orders of over £100m are placed during LFW each season; the International Guest Programme alone generates over £65m of orders

Over 5,000 visitors are expected: buyers, TV & radio crews, journalists and photographers

UK media coverage each season exceeds £160m (source: Precise) and media coverage from the International Guest Programme exceeds £120m

Media coverage equals or exceeds most major news and international sporting events

After a season’s break, Issa returns to the catwalk schedule with a new design team in place and a full catwalk show. This season Amanda Wakeley and Belstaff also return to the London Fashion Week schedule

New additions this season include Hunter, Joseph, Mother of Pearl, Toga and Whistles

Vodafone is principal sponsor of London Fashion Week for a fifth season as a part of a three year deal

This February, The Shop returns to the courtyard at London Fashion Week. A pop-up space designed by Robert Storey, The Shop celebrates the best of British contemporary and will feature designers including Bella Freud, DJ by Dominic Jones, Keely Hunter, Markus Lupfer, Prism and Zoe Jordan

This season The Shop will house bird nestboxes in collaboration with the RSPB to celebrate National Nest Box Week which starts the same day as London Fashion Week. British designers have customised nestboxes will be auctioned on eBay. Participants include Giles, Jasper Conran, John Rocha, Julien Macdonald, Katherine Hamnett, Patrick Grant, Piers Atkinson, Wayne Hemingway, Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes

Last season there were 75,000 images added to Instagram that including hashtag #LFW

Last season there were 176,000 mentions of #LFW on Twitter

London Fashion Week live streams are watched in 160 countries worldwide